HARRISONBURG, Va.- After opening their 2026 season at Bridgewater, EMU Cross Country took their turn as the home team Friday evening, hosting the newly renamed Roland & Darlene Landes Invitational at their on-campus home course.
 
The men's team picked up their second victory of the week, successfully defending their home course to claim the team title with a low score of 25 points. Noah Hagberg, a first-year from Mechanicsville, Va., showed the way for the Royals with second runner-up finish in a row, clocking in at 15:52.9 for 5k (3.1 miles).
 
Kovyk Chandler of Southern Virginia set a new course record time of 15:35.2 on his way to the individual win.

Highlights

• Team Score: 25 points (1st of 3)
• Jonah Smith, another first-year from Mechanicsville, made the podium in third place, traversing the course in 16:10.3. Junior Theo Andreas was right on his heels, crossing the line in fourth with a time of 16:11.5.
• Joshua Reinford, a first-year from Smoketown, Pa., also made the top 10 for the Royals, finishing sixth overall in a time of 16:24.9 for 5k.
• Luke Buckwalter rounded out the scoring five for the Royals, finishing 11th overall and completing the 5k course in 17:33.8.
• Ben Huyard (16th/18:17.3), Ben Wheeler (19th/19:14.7), and Nick Arnold (25th/21:27.2) completed the contingent of Royal men on Friday night.

What's Next
The EMU cross country teams will have a couple of weeks to rest and train before they lace up their racing shoes again for the South Region Showdown on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Panorama Farms in Earlysville, Va. The first race is set to begin at 10 a.m.

To keep up to date with everything surrounding the EMU cross country program this year, follow EMU Athletics on Instagram, like EMU Athletics on Facebook or visit our website.